CLEVELAND, August 27 — On August 24, the Ohio AFL-CIO passed a Hazmat resolution that calls for strict controls of automated train technology. Federation President William Burga confirmed the resolution’s passage at the 24th Biennial AFL-CIO Ohio State Convention.
The 704 delegates in attendance unanimously passed Resolution 10: HAZMAT. These delegates represented 147 affiliated locals from 38 labor unions.
The Ohio AFL-CIO is the 20th State Federation to adopt a resolution that addresses remote control, but is the first to address new automation technology being developed by rail carriers and the Association of American Railroads. Resolution 10 also calls upon the FRA to require remote control protection zones to be used where remote control is operated.
The AFL-CIO and its subordinate bodies have continually demonstrated their support of the BLET and stand behind the organization in opposition to this dangerous practice.
Ohio State Legislative Chairman James F. Ong, Vice-Chairman Timothy R. Hanely, and Division 234 Legislative Representative Mike Goebel attended the convention.
Chairman Ong thanked Ohio AFL-CIO President Burga, Federation Secretary- Treasurer Pierrette M. Talley and the Delegates of the 24th Convention for their support.
Chairman Ong said that the resolution was drafted and proposed by Vice-Chairman Tim Hanely, who also serves as the delegate for BLET Division 36 (Newark, Ohio) to the Ohio AFL-CIO.
Hanely said that nationally, the AFL-CIO represents over 13 million sisters and brothers who share a common cause with the BLET.
“Safety in the workplace has to be our greatest concern, and operator safety was the inspiration behind Resolution 10,” Hanely said. “We have hundreds of members who are paying too high of a price for rail carriers to make elevated profits.”
The resolution is available at:
https://www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/ohioaflcio.pdf